Lawyer Rob Moodie is demanding a Commission of Inquiry over the collapse of an Army-built bridge which killed one man and ruined the lives of the elderly couple whose farm it led to.

Beekeeper Ken Richards died when the Te Rata Station bridge collapsed on March 22, 1994, as he drove over it in his truck.

Keith and Margaret Berryman, who owned the King Country farm the bridge led to, have been fighting for compensation ever since and made several unsuccessful attempts to negotiate for compensation from the Government.

During that time, they were also charged by OSH for not ensuring Richards' safety at work. Shortly after the tragedy their house was torched and burnt to the ground. The OSH charges were eventually thrown out of court but the costs of the fight to clear their names resulted in the loss of their farm.

Now living in Wanganui, the Berrymans have "reluctantly" accepted a $150,000 Government compensation settlement.

"These people are in their 80s now, they're frail, are financially insecure and the whole thing is just shocking," said their current lawyer Simon Gale.

"It's totally unsatisfactory. There's a general feeling that these people have been shafted."

Gale said the Government offer of $150,000 was a "take it or leave it" one, which the Berrymans had agreed to "reluctantly".

Moodie, who earlier represented the couple, last night described their treatment and eventual compensation as "appalling".